It supposedly “enhances” the sound of the engine on certain models - called “soundaktor” - this thread below will explain what it is and what it does:

https://www.ttforum.co.uk/threads/2011-2-0-tfsi-dsg-quattro-how-to-increase-engine-noise-levels.2031438/

 

Yeah this is part of the electronic version of "Soundaktor". There's both mechanical/physical Soundaktor (which is what is otherwise called the engine "noise pipe") and then the completely electronic version which in this car uses a control module which has the "audio files" for the sound and a transducer that effectively uses the windshield to buzz noise into the cabin. (Later cars like MQB onward have electronic Soundaktor that is merely built into the car's audio/infotainment system and uses the car's stereo speakers to do this.)

The module you mention I believe is the "J869" module which sits under the driver seat and stores the audio information as mentioned. There's some documentation out there that suggests this [electronic Soundaktor] was only ever installed in TDI/diesel models, but then there's some other posts mentioning even having it in a TT-S so go figure.

Here's some additional threads to read on it:

https://www.ttforum.co.uk/threads/sound-actuator.1903639/

https://www.ttforum.co.uk/threads/guess-what-we-have-fake-engine-noises-now.272281/

And this one describing more about the coding and compoents:

How to: Audi TT Mk2 (8J) Soundactor Reprogramming

Soundactor or Soundaktor (German for "sound actuator") is a vehicle audio system used to simulate engine noise in the cabin. This doesn't actually make the engine louder, it simply makes it sound louder inside the vehicle. While more common in the VW Golf, if your vehicle has one you'll find it...

www.ttforum.co.uk

 

For the Mk2TT, the Soundaktor was only available for the TDI and TTS. A TDI Soundaktor can not be retrofitted to petrol engines.

 

For the Mk2TT, the Soundaktor was only available for the TDI. And a TDI Soundaktor can not be retrofitted to petrol engines.

I don't think that can be the case in the UK because car breakers are removing a lot of them from damaged petrol Mk2TT's and advertising them on eBay and there are a lot of the modules on the UK eBay and the adverts say what car they have come from.
All the best.
Roy

 

Sounds a bit 'gimmicky' to me! lIke the 'motorbike throttle grip' I had on my bicycle as a kid 😁

This little throttle rev maker is perfect for your little ones bicycle to make their rides sound just like a motorbike

 

@ chrisTTian - Hold my beer...

 

Item 20 in the LLLParts diagram (8J0 907 159 B) seems to be for the Audi TT TTS. Would have to look at the wiring diagram to see how it's connected.

Another picture of the Soundaktor and the control module which are used together on other VAG vehicles.

Looking through the 8J wiring diagram we have in the KB, the J869 control module is listed for the Diesel, but the R214 soundaktor is not which is odd.

I can only guess our wiring diagrams are too old and don't include newer updates which included the soundaktor and module that were available for the 2012 TTS.

 

This post provides some additional information on this topic.

https://mqb-blog.com/en/2021/06/14/sak/

Translation -

Remove and install control unit for structure-borne sound -J869- and actuator for structure-borne sound -R214

Removal - Remove water tank cover -5- --> Body assembly work, exterior Rep. size 50 bulkhead; remove and install water tank cover.

Control unit for structure-borne sound -J869- Disconnect electrical plug connection -1-. Release latch -arrow A-, remove control unit for structure-borne sound -J869- from holder -arrow B-.

Actuator for prosonic noise -R214- Unscrew nut - arrow-. Remove actuator for structure-borne sound -R214- and disconnect electrical connector -1-. Installation Installation is carried out in reverse order of tightening torque. --> Chapter Assembly overview - Actuator for impact sound and control unit for impact sound

Another picture of thesoundactor and control module -

 

This post provides some additional information on this topic.

https://mqb-blog.com/en/2021/06/14/sak/

View attachment 514972
View attachment 514973

Translation -

Remove and install control unit for structure-borne sound -J869- and actuator for structure-borne sound -R214

Removal - Remove water tank cover -5- --> Body assembly work, exterior Rep. size 50 bulkhead; remove and install water tank cover.

Control unit for structure-borne sound -J869- Disconnect electrical plug connection -1-. Release latch -arrow A-, remove control unit for structure-borne sound -J869- from holder -arrow B-.

Actuator for prosonic noise -R214- Unscrew nut - arrow-. Remove actuator for structure-borne sound -R214- and disconnect electrical connector -1-. Installation Installation is carried out in reverse order of tightening torque. --> Chapter Assembly overview - Actuator for impact sound and control unit for impact sound

Another picture of thesoundactor and control module -

I have retrofitted it in my A3 8V, but I'm not sure if the SAK Gen 2 modules or firmwares from e.g. the 8V and the TT 8S are compatible with the 8J. The 8J SAK module has 10 pins (4 small, 6 large), so it might be somewhat different.

I don't know if the 8J module has a VIN whitelist system like the gen 2 and 2.5 SAK modules. So it might not even work if fitted to e.g. a TT with petrol engine.

Unfortunately the 8J firmware isn't available either to see if it extracts the same way as the gen 2/2.5 do.

 

Evidently the Soundaktor is just a speaker/transducer. So you can use it to resonate any sort of vibration (e.g. music) through the vehicle or anything else...

 

As shown here, the R214 Controller (J869) allows the user to change the frequency of the Soundaktor (R214) through the MMI. The location of the Control Module was different depending on the brand and model (Audi, VW, Skoda, etc.)

If you're not sure whether your TT has it or not simply run an Auto Scan and if it's present you will see it listed as A9 Structure Borne Sound. If it doesn't show up, then you don't have it.

From what I have read, the whole sound actuator system is specific to the model in which it's installed, so it's not an easy retrofit.

 

Hi SwissJetPilot
My phone has picked up a message from you that I cannot find in the posts here.

It says "This one...? Evidently the 8J0 907 159 B it for a Audi TT TTS. Will have to look through the wiring diagrams / components guide to see where it's situated."

Not sure why my phone can see it but I can't find it on here. It's very strange.
I don't have Auto Scan so don't know if I have one on my 57 plate V6 3.2 ltr Quattro. Hopefully not.
All the best
Roy

 

I know VerticalScope (the Forum website owner) has been dealing with some technical issues recently, so maybe what you see on your phone and what you see online are showing up differently for some reason...?

The 3.2 VR6 was not equipped with a soundaktor, so you won't have it.

However for anyone with a TDI or TTS, when you connect your OBDeleven or VCDS, you will see a Control Unit or Address called A9 Structure Borne Sound . If it's present, it will be on the list without having to run a full scan.

OBDeleven list of Control Units -

 

3.2 VR6 was not equipped with a soundaktor

They have the sound pipe remember. It's the hardware only version that channels sound into the cabin via the intake.

 

Hi SwissJetPilot
Thanks for the reply. Maybe he has fixed it, for me at least, because today the messages are the same on my phone and online.
Good news about the soundaktor. Thanks again.
All the best.
Roy

 

Interestingly the MK6 Golf GTI has an 8J part. It's mounted the the wiper arm linkage and I wondered what it was when I came across it

8J0 907 601